Pump and impeller unit

ABSTRACT

A pump and impeller unit which utilizes a double vaned impeller to eliminate the need for pump shaft seals, and also utilizing simple construction of filter cartridge assembly in relation to pump body to facilitate maintenance and replacement of the filter and the unit.

United States Patent Alfred E. Grazen West Hartford, Conn. 831,932

June 10, 1969 Dec. 28, 1971 Electra-Metals, lnc. East Hampton, Conn.

lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee PUMP AND IMPELLER UNIT 5Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 210/232, 2l0/4l6,416/l74,4l6/236 Int. Cl 801d 35/02 Field ofSearch 210/416, 232-236; 416/61, 174, 236

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ll/l937 Irwine 8/1948 Schneider..

6/ 1950 Rike 3/1965 Englesberg et al Primary Examiner lohn AdeeAttorney-Alan E. Steele 2l0/416X 210/416X 2l0/235X 210/416X 4 as 28 o i38 JILL-5i PATENTED DEC28 I97! $630,373

sum 1 UF 2 lNV ENTOR HLFQEO 5 G ZEN ATTORNEY PATENTEU UEC28 um SHEET 2OF 2 FIG. 5

| I I l r II INVENTOR HLFRED GRHZEN ATTORNEY PUMP AND IMPELLER UNIT Thisinvention relates to a Pump and Impeller Unit construction which isutilized to pump fluids from a sump to another container or conduit.More specifically, a novel pump impeller construction and novel pumpcomponents utilized in pumping chemical solutions through a filter whichis assembled to the pump body.

Pumps and pumping systems for handling relatively small volumes of fluidin chemical plating facilities are well known in the art and extensivelyused in the industry. Such pumps and systems function satisfactorily,however they have several shortcomings which my invention has overcome.It must be borne in mind that there are basically two systems forpumping these fluids, one in which the pump impeller and filter aresubmerged below the solution level and the other where the pump andfilter are above or external to the solution. In the first case wherethe impeller and filter are submerged below the solution level myinvention overcomes the need for shaft seals which wear out quitereadily and are costly, by utilizing a double-vaned impeller. By usingsuch an impeller the level of the solution in the pump body is keptbelow the connection between the motor and pump housing so as toeliminate the need for a seal around the shaft extending from the motorto the impeller. Similarly when the filter which has the fluid pumpedthrough it becomes clogged, one is immediately made aware of this by thefluid backing up through an overflow port between the motor housing andthe pump body. By proper balancing or tuning" of the vanes located oneither side of the impeller one can control the level of the liquid inthe pump body and also draw air in from the overflow tube to aerate thesolution, if desired.

In the case where the filter and impeller are external to the solution astandard single-vaned impeller is utilized which requires a shaft seal.However my invention provides a shaft seal which floats on a motor shaftbushing which yields long seal life, self-lubrication and is constructedso that it is simple to replace. The filter and pump body are connectedto each other in such a manner as to make the pump self priming. Ineither case there is provided a seal and lock construction for thefilter chamber which is simple in construction and facilitates easyremoval and replacement of filter cartridges. This constructioneliminates the need for tie rods, nuts and bolts normally provided withexisting systems and also provides simple positioning of exhaust portsto any desired direction.

Another object of my invention is to provide an impeller having vanesmounted on both sides of its body so as to cause the fluid it isimmersed in, to flow in opposite directions.

A further object of my invention is to combine the novel features of thesystem components in such a manner as to provide a reliable andefficient system which can easily be maintained.

The more important features and objects of my invention have beenbroadly outlined above in order that the more detailed description thatfollows may be better understood. There are, of course, additionalfeatures of my invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject of the claims appended hereto.

The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. I, shows a submerged pump and filter system with a portion cut awayfrom the pump body and filter, and also shows a phantom filter which canbe added to the pump assembly.

FIG. 2, shows a blown up 3 dimensional view of the impeller and shaft.

FIG. 3A, is a plan view of the filter cartridge in the unlockedposition.

FIG. 3B, is a plan view of the filter cartridge in the locked position.

FIG. 4, is a shaft seal arrangement utilized in the external system.

FIG. 5, shows an external pump and filter system and the method ofassembly of the filter cartridge.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the referred embodiments ofmy invention, FIG. 1 shows the general arrangement for a submerged pumpand filter system 10. A motor 12 drives a double vaned impeller 14, eachof which is connected to shaft 16. The motor I2 is attached to anintermediate body 18 at one end of said intermediate body 18, and theother end of the intermediate body 18 is attached to, or can be integralwith pump body 20. Attached to or integral with one side of pump body 20is a filter chamber 22 which houses filter cartridge 24. Interconnectingthe pump body 20 and filter chamber 22 is port 26. The filter cartridge24 is secured to the filter cap 28 by means of a rod 30 which is affixedto the filter cap 28 at one end and threaded to plate 32 at the otherend (FIG. 5). The filter cartridge 24 is slipped over rod 30 and thenplate 32 is secured to rod 30 to complete the assembly of the filtercartridge 24 to filter cap 28. This assembly is then inserted intofilter chamber 22 with the flats 34 of filter cap 28 being parallel tofilter locks 36 (FIG. 3A). The assembly is then turned so that thearcuate portions of filter cap 28 engage lips 38 to lock the assembly inplace. It should be noted that outlet port 40 on filter cap 28 can bepositioned to any direction except perpendicular to filter locks 36.U-cup ring seal 39 mounted on filter cap 28 seals the cap against filterchamber 22. Another filter cartridge can be placed on the other side ofpump body 20, shown in phantom, or can be inserted in filter chamber 22by elongating filter chamber 22, not shown. This additional filterplaced in the elongated filter chamber can be a gold filter or chemicaltreatment bag, as desired.

The operation of the submerged pump and filter system is as follows. Thepump body 20, and filter chamber 22, are inserted in the solution to anydesired level below overflow port 42 on the intermediate body 18. Thesolution is drawn in through intake port 44 by the action of impeller 14and is forced into filter chamber 22 through port 26. The solution isfiltered and forced, by the pressure set up by the impeller 14, throughfilter cartridge 24, up through the center of filter cartridge 24, andout through outlet port 40 into a flexible tube (not shown) which isattached to outlet port 40 and then conveyed to its desired destination.It should be noted that there is no seal between the motor 12 and shaft16, which is not used in this instance because of the operation of thedouble-vaned impeller 14. Referring to the exploded view FIG. 2, thelower vanes 46 are formed to have a pitch so that the solution is drawnup through port 44 and thrown out be centrifugal force to enter port 26.However since there is reasonable clearance between impeller 14 and pumpbody 20 to the solution is also forced up past impeller 14 towardsintermediate housing 18. If this were left unchecked the solution wouldrise until it hit motor 12 and/or go out of overflow port 42. To checkthis flow, upper vanes 48 on impeller 14 are formed to have a pitchwhich would force the solution back down towards inlet port 44. Bybalancing or tuning the design of the pitch of vanes 46 and 48 one candetermine the level of the solution in the pump body 20 and intermediatehousing 18 during the operation of the pump. In some cases it isdesirable to aerate the solution as it is being pumped. This can easilybe done by tuning the pitch of the vanes so that air is drawn in fromthe overflow port 42 and mixed with the solution. In the event thefilter cartridge 24 becomes clogged, the solution will rise in theintermediate housing and flow out overflow port 42 signalling to theoperator to shut down and change the filter cartridge 24.

Referring now to FIG. 5 which shows a pump and filter external system50. It should be noted that the filter cartridge 24 and the filterassembly is the same as that described for a submerged system above.Motor 52 is mounted on motor mount 54 which can be integral with pumpbody 56 or inserted in pump body 56 with a U-cup ring seal for sealingit against the pump body.

The shaft 58 extending from motor 52 extends into pump body 56 and has asingle-vaned impeller 60 mounted on its end. This system requires ashaft seal to seal off the solution from the motor 52, and itsconstruction is shown in FIG. 4. The shaft 58 has a suitable shaftsleeve 62 and a rubber cartridge seal 64 which fits snugly against theshaft bushing 66. The rubber cartridge 64 also fits tightly aroundshoulder 68, which is an integral part of motor mount 54, so as toprevent slipping of the rubber cartridgeand leakage through a port 72.Impeller 68 now has only one set of vanes 70 formed on the lower side ofthe impeller which causes shaft vibration during pumping. The rubbercartridge seal 64 therefore seals off the solution from entering themotor and is flexible to take the vibrations of shaft 58 and still keepa seal, and maintain pressure in the pump body and filter chamber. Theremoval and replacement of rubber cartridge seal 64 is easily made byremoving the impeller 60 from threaded portion of shaft 58 and removingand slipping on a new seal. In the event the seal 64 should fail, a leakport 72 communicates with the shaft bore in motor mount 54 to pass thesolution from the housing and keep the solution from entering motor 52.Shaft bushing 66 and shaft sleeve 62 are firmly butted together againsta retainer (not shown) when the impeller is firmly screwed onto themotor shaft.

The operation of the external system is as follows:

Solution is drawn from a sump (not shown) via a hose (not shown) toinlet port 74. Then the solution goes through internal passage 76 to theunderside of impeller 60. Vanes 70 on impeller 60 are fonned so as tocause the suction to draw the solution from the sump into the pump body56. Then, also due to the design of impeller vanes 70 and thecentrifugal force, the solution enters port 78 into filter chamber 22,in through filter cartridge 24 out of port 40, as previously describedin the submerged pump and filter system. Located toward the top of pumpbody 56 is an orifice 80 which communicates with the filter chamber forbleeding air during start up. The system is self priming by pouring alittle solution into the filter chamber and starting the motor. The airin pump body 56 is bled through orifice 80 until the pump is fullyprimed. During operation a small amount of solution will enter orifice80 into pump body 56 from filter chamber 22, but this will be veryslight and will not affect the volume flow of solution out of port 40.

While I have described the structure and operation of pump and filtersystems of the present invention in considerable detail as applied tochemical solutions for purposes of illustration, it will be understoodthat many of these details may be varied considerably and my inventionmay be utilized in ways other than handling chemical solutions withoutdeparting from the spirit and principles of my invention.

I claim:

1. A pump and filter system comprising a pump body, an inlet port insaid pump body, a filter chamber interconnected to said pump body, anoutlet port from said pump bodyto said filter chamber, a prime movermounted on said pump body, a shaft attached to said prime mover andextending into said pump body, an impeller mounted on the end of theshaft in said pump body, vanes integrally connected on both sides ofsaid impeller, a clearance between the periphery of said impeller andpump bodysaid prime mover imparting rotational movement on saidimpeller, means for creating a suction pressure on one side of saidimpeller and for creating a pressure opposing the suction pressure onthe other side of said impeller.

2. A pump and filter system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means forcreating the suction and opposing pressures comprise the vanes locatedon both sides of said impeller with the pitch of the vanes on one sidebeing opposite to the pitch of the vanes on the other side of saidimpeller.

3. A pump and filter system as defined in claim 1 wherein said filterchamber houses a filter cartridge assembly comprising a cap, a threadedrod integral with said cap, a filter axially mounted over said rod, abase plate threaded on to the end of said rod thereby snugly fittingsaid filter against said cap and said base plate.

4. A pump and filter system as defined in claim 3 wherein said filterchamber has two locks mounted apart on its peri hery, each of said lockshavin an undercut portion, said cap erng substantially circular in s apehaving two flats 180 apart on its periphery which are parallel to saidlocks where said cartridge assembly is inserted into said filterchamber, wherein rotation of said cartridge assembly locks said assemblyfirmly in place by the engagement of any part of the arcuate portions ofsaid cap engaging the undercut portions of said locks.

5. A pump and filter system as defined in claim 1 having a body portionintermediate the prime mover and said pump body, said intermediate bodyportion having an overflow port, the vanes on the side of the impellerclosest to said overflow port having its vanes positioned to induce airinto said body portion and said pump body.

1. A pump and filter system comprising a pump body, an inlet port insaid pump body, a filter chambEr interconnected to said pump body, anoutlet port from said pump body to said filter chamber, a prime movermounted on said pump body, a shaft attached to said prime mover andextending into said pump body, an impeller mounted on the end of theshaft in said pump body, vanes integrally connected on both sides ofsaid impeller, a clearance between the periphery of said impeller andpump body, said prime mover imparting rotational movement on saidimpeller, means for creating a suction pressure on one side of saidimpeller and for creating a pressure opposing the suction pressure onthe other side of said impeller.
 2. A pump and filter system as definedin claim 1 wherein the means for creating the suction and opposingpressures comprise the vanes located on both sides of said impeller withthe pitch of the vanes on one side being opposite to the pitch of thevanes on the other side of said impeller.
 3. A pump and filter system asdefined in claim 1 wherein said filter chamber houses a filter cartridgeassembly comprising a cap, a threaded rod integral with said cap, afilter axially mounted over said rod, a base plate threaded on to theend of said rod thereby snugly fitting said filter against said cap andsaid base plate.
 4. A pump and filter system as defined in claim 3wherein said filter chamber has two locks mounted 180* apart on itsperiphery, each of said locks having an undercut portion, said cap beingsubstantially circular in shape having two flats 180* apart on itsperiphery which are parallel to said locks where said cartridge assemblyis inserted into said filter chamber, wherein rotation of said cartridgeassembly locks said assembly firmly in place by the engagement of anypart of the arcuate portions of said cap engaging the undercut portionsof said locks.
 5. A pump and filter system as defined in claim 1 havinga body portion intermediate the prime mover and said pump body, saidintermediate body portion having an overflow port, the vanes on the sideof the impeller closest to said overflow port having its vanespositioned to induce air into said body portion and said pump body.